Considerations for Exercising in the Heat

Chris Gagliardi is the Study Assistance Administrator at ACE. Chris holds a BS in Kinesiology from San Diego State University...More »

Chris Gagliardi is the Study Assistance Administrator at ACE. Chris holds a BS in Kinesiology from San Diego State University, as well as a Certificate in Orthotics from Northwestern University Fienberg School of Medicine. As an ACE-certified Personal Trainer and Lifestyle and Weight Management Coach, as well as a NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and NASM certified personal trainer, Chris takes great pride in sharing his enthusiasm for fitness with others and is committed to life time of learning. The idea of leading a healthy lifestyle was first introduced to Chris at the age of 12 when his father brought him to the gym for the first time. This first gym experience ignited a passion for life long fitness that would only grow stronger as the years went on. Chris has worked in the field of Health and Fitness in many capacities over the past 10 years, working with both youth and adult populations.

Share

STAY INFORMED

Sign up to receive relevant, science-based health and fitness news from ACE each month.

As a health and fitness professional, there are many different elements you need to consider when programming for your clients, including your clients’ goals, physical limitations and the environment in which they are exercising. In this blog, we’ll cover how to keep your clients safe while exercising in the heat.

A client who does not take precautions when exercising in the heat may be at risk for developing heat-related illness, which may be amplified if he or she is not adequately hydrated, wears excessive clothing, or is overweight or obese. Excessive clothing and fat each have the potential for trapping heat in the body and preventing it from escaping, which can increase body temperature. Under normal conditions, body temperature will rise about 2-3° F during exercise, but heat injuries will usually occur when heat loss is compromised. Heat combined with humidity is the most stressful environment in which to exercise because the large amount of water in the air means that sweat will not readily evaporate, which decreases the efficiency of the bodies most effective cooling system.

So what do you need to know as a trainer? First, it’s important to have a good understanding of the heat index chart. You don’t need to memorize it, but you do need to understand the relationship between humidity and temperature (conditions become more dangerous as humidity and heat increase).

You must also be aware of the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke as well as the initial treatment for both.

Here are some tips to offer your clients before they begin exercising in the heat: